ENVE 102 ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

2019-2020 SPRING SEMESTER

RECITATION 4
March 6, 2020

Question 1: An aqueous solution of 10-2 M of HNO2 (nitrous acid), a weak acid, with Ka = 4x10-
4, is prepared. Please write all the necessary equations according to the methodology

developed in class.

a. all relevant chemical reactions,

b. specie list,
c. equilibria expressions,
d. mass balance equation,
e. proton condition

Question 2: An aqueous solution of 10-4 M of NaCN, (sodium cyanide) salt of a weak acid
is prepared. Ka for HCN is 4.8x10-10. Please write all the necessary equations according to
the methodology developed in class.

a. all relevant chemical reactions,

b. species list,
c. equilibria expressions,
d. mass balance equation,
e. proton condition

Question 3: An aqueous solution of 10-4 M of Na2CO3, salt of bicarbonate ion is prepared.

Bicarbonate is an amphoteric substance, which can act both as an acid and yield CO32- and as
a base to yield H2CO3. You need to consider all relevant reactions. Please write all the
necessary equations according to the methodology developed in class.

a. all relevant chemical reactions,

b. species list,
c. equilibria expressions,
d. mass balance equation,
e. proton condition